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Healthy Coconut Banana Cookies are chewy, fruit-filled cookies made without any added sugar or butter. They are vegan, nut free and can be gluten free.

This recipe for Healthy Coconut Banana Cookies recipe is inspired by one of my favorite healthy cookie recipes – Healthy Banana Cookies. These cookies are naturally sweetened with dates and bananas, which is always a delicious combination. I decided to give that recipe a coconut twist by using coconut oil and adding some coconut. Coconut was such a tasty addition that goes so well with the banana. …

Easy Date Bars are a date-filled oatmeal bars inspired by a childhood favorite. They taste similar to my grandma’s recipe, only made a little healthier and are super quick and easy to make!

One of my favorite cookies from childhood is a recipe my grandma used to make, called Trilbies. They are a soft, oatmeal cookie with a date filling. They were SO good. I do have her recipe, but I remember she always complained about how much trouble they were to make. They always end up last on my holiday baking list and never get made. This year, I decided to take my favorite aspects of the recipe – dates and oats – and turn them into simple Easy Date Bars! They taste pretty darn close to the beloved cookie – close enough anyway, because these Easy Date Bars are super easy to make!…

Healthy Chocolate Coconut Truffles are an easy recipe made in minutes using only 3 ingredients with no added fat or sugar. {vegan, gluten free}

Healthy Chocolate Coconut Truffles have the delicious flavors of dark chocolate and coconut…all coming in around 60 calories and without any added sugar of fat. They are made using only 3 main ingredients (plus an optional ingredient which helps to deepen and intensify the chocolate flavor). Even better – they take only minutes to make. Intrigued? I certainly was when I first found the recipe but it took me over 9 months to make them. I am kicking myself that it took so long…they are so amazingly good!

Thankfully, it is time again for the second installment of the Eating the Alphabet Challenge, hosted by Brenda of Meal Planning Magic. Participating in this challenge was the extra push I needed to make these truffles. This month we’re featuring healthy recipes using fruits, vegetables, grains or legumes that start with letters C or D. Since Healthy Chocolate Coconut Truffles feature both coconut and dates, I’ve got both letters covered this month.

Healthy Banana Cookies are a chewy, fruit-filled cookie made using some of my favorite foods – oats, dates and bananas. They are made from simple, wholesome ingredients, have no butter and added sugar, thus making them a healthier choice. I love the simplicity of these cookies and have to admit these cookies made a delightful breakfast! These Healthy Banana Cookies also happen to be dairy free and can be gluten free.

I have had this at the top of my ‘to make’ pile for months just waiting for some super ripe bananas. While we always have plenty of super ripe bananas in the house, they’re typically reserved for Pumpkin Banana Muffins or Pumpkin Banana Pancakes (or Strawberry Banana Pancakes once strawberry season hits). Fortunately, I was a muffin and pancake making machine in advance of our new baby’s arrival, stocking the freezer full of Adam’s favorite banana goodies. With a stocked freezer and 3 very ripe bananas, it was finally my opportunity to try these Healthy Banana Cookies!

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonful onto prepared cookie sheets. [Note: the cookies don't spread so you may want to shape them a bit]

Bake cookies for 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes and then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

These are best enjoyed the day after baking.

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Coincidentally, this is also the first month of the Eating the Alphabet Healthy Recipe Challenge for 2013, hosted by Brenda of Meal Planning Magic. Each month, several bloggers will focus on healthy recipes featuring fruits, vegetables grains or legumes, from a couple different letters (this month it is A or B). I thought Healthy Banana Cookies would be the perfect healthy recipe to start off this fun series.

In the spirit of the Peanut Butter for Breakfast campaign, I thought it would be fun to share some breakfast recipes using peanut butter. What better place to find inspiration than the National Peanut Board’s website. I found so many delicious ideas, including these super healthy granola bars. It is amazing how easy and inexpensive it is to make granola bars right at home. And they’re good too!

These granola bars have a perfect balance of flavors and a nice texture that is not too chewy, not too crispy. They are naturally sweetened with dried fruit and a touch of molasses. The peanut butter is present, but subtle, and acts as a binder with the egg whites. Add a little spice, some oats and seeds, and you have a healthy, high-protein, high-fiber granola bar that is perfect for an on-the-go breakfast, a mid-morning pick me up, or any time the mood strikes.

Add the oat mixture to the peanut butter mixture, and stir until combined.

Pour into prepared baking dish and use a silicone spatula (or the back of a spoon sprayed with cooking spray) to spread the mixture into the pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan. Remove from pan by lifting out the foil and then cut into 8 bars.